SimplyAbuDhabi XIV

9 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I B reguet watches convey the passage of time in the most concise and considerate way, so it is quite natural for the company to apply its design expertise to extend the usual hours, minutes and seconds of the day to the days themselves, and to the weeks, months and years of the calendar to produce a timepiece of unerring accuracy and uniform visual integrity. Breguet has produced a number of perpetual calendar models, each as complex as it is fascinating. As has always been the case, the manufacturer’s strict tenet of craftsmanship means that it can never be satisfied with what already exists, instead decreeing that it must strive to modernise in technique, design and outcome for its faithful customers. So although the Classique collection itself already includes several perpetual calendar models, Breguet’s watchmakers set about creating a new and evolved version, the 3797. In it, they have paid particular attention to the styling in order to create an even more intuitive display of the indications without compromising the appeal of the watch. The magnificence of the Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797 is in its ability tomaintain its stylish lines, whilst containing enough mechanical mastery to measure and record an incredible amount of separate but inter-related information. In many cases, a timepiece can become clustered or overbearing in its attempts to display too much information, so it is extremely impressive that, with the 3797, Breguet has managed to retain the complexities of a calendar watch without losing the sleek design of a quality timepiece. The sheer amount of information displayed on the dial can become confusing, so Breguet has added a third dimension. By lifting the hours and minutes chapter to the fore of the movement, the timepiece draws attention to the essential information. A further glance takes in all the other indications. The 3797 does this with an offset sapphire disc. The opaque chapter ring with its metallic Roman numerals reveals the time instantly with the aid of the Breguet open-tipped hands in stylish blued steel. Beneath the disc, an engine-turned hobnail pattern decorates the dial, overarched by the semi-circular scale of the retrograde dates. The one-minute tourbillon at 6 o'clock perfectly complements the chapter ring, and despite the curve, its bridge is delicately chamfered and surmounted by a triple hand for the seconds. The sub-dial for the days at 9 o'clock is engine-turned in waves. In the movement, a snail cam makes the days hand jump instantaneously when needed. At 3 o'clock a blued steel hand points to the months on a dial that is engine-turned in a shimmering sunburst pattern, whilst at its centre a blue sun shows the leap years. On the reverse of the watch, a sapphire-crystal glass reveals the movement and the way the base plate has been designed to throw maximum light onto the distinct tourbillon. Once again, the talents and experience of Breguet’s craftsmen and women were engaged to achieve these remarkable decorations by hand. Even though the 3797 can already be considered as a masterpiece, Breguet’s watchmakers chose to compound the schematic difficulties further, by making another spectacular version: the 3795. The dial vanishes to make room for a skeleton version revealing all the sophistication of the movement’s construction. The Classique 3795 is genuine mechanical haute couture with its ethereal lace-like engravings on the bridges, a superbly crafted display of Breguet’s delicate workmanship and experience. Beyond their impressive achievements in technique and design, the Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797 and 3795 have all the identifying attributes of a Breguet timepiece. The cases, in rose gold or in platinum, are finely fluted around their sides and the lugs are welded on. The engine-turned patterns, the unique number, hands in blued steel and the secret signature complete the features that identify a Breguet. Both the Classique TourbillonQuantième Perpétuel 3797 and 3795 are excellent examples of the exacting standards of Breguet watchmaking. They combine subtle beauty with iridescence and outstanding build quality to embody the spirit of a traditional line of master craftsmen. Substantial in poise, yet light and skeletal in nature, the Classique TourbillonQuantième Perpétuel timepieces provide the opportunity for discerning customers to obtain a part of the legacy of excellence that Breguet is renowned for. Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797